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Metropolis Marketplace in Woodburn opening doors in September

Marketplace located in former Association Building holding grand opening Sept. 9 and 10

Metropolis Marketplace, the indoor market located inside the former Association Building in downtown Woodburn, is holding a grand opening celebration on September 9 and 10. The marketplace will be home to food and drink vendors, along with artisan, craft and farmers market vendors.

The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the building, located at 347 N. Front St. It will feature food, drinks, music, arts, crafts, prizes, giveaways and other activities.

Owners Hythum Ismail and Robby Truong purchased the building from the city of Woodburn in April 2016. Once the location of the Salud Medical Clinic, the building has been vacant since the 1993 Scotts Mills earthquake that left it seriously damaged.

The city acquired the building on a nuisance lien in 2000. In 2005, the city spent $850,000 on seismic retrofits, fire and life safety upgrades and a complete makeover of the façade. However, the interior of the building remained in disrepair, with no finished walls, flooring, stairs, plumbing or electric wiring.

In February, the city's Urban Renewal Agency approved a $50,000 grant to help cover the costs of the estimated $315,000 in necessary improvements to the building.

Now, the building will be home to both the marketplace and, eventually, a 5,000-square-foot event center, which hasn't yet been developed but is planned for its second floor.

So far, the marketplace has three longer-term "anchor vendors" that have signed leases. Coco's Coffee House, which will be the only coffee shop in downtown Woodburn, will serve a variety of hot and cold beverages, snacks and baked goods. Hungry Lion Cuisine will serve a variety of Asian-influenced dishes including teriyaki, Thai and Chinese food. And Fruit Box Snack Bar will feature a variety of fruit salads, tortas, smoothies, and milkshakes, along with a selection of other beverages, snacks, meals and desserts.

Vendor space is still available, with both month-to-month and longer-term leases offered. For more information, go to www.metropolisoregon.com.

Julia Comnes can be reached at 503-765-1195 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..Follow the Woodburn Independent on Facebook and Twitter.